Students of Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad on Tuesday over the proposal to set up NALSAR-type university in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
The students are apprehensive about setting up another law university in the State as it would hamper the prospects of the DSNLU.
The students were on the warpath ever since G.O. 65 was issued on July 30 that proposed the intent of setting up another national law university.
According to a student, the Chief Minister appeared to be unaware of DSNLU, but assured to look into the matter and talk to the Law Secretary.
Meanwhile, when the agitating students sought an explanation from Vice-Chancellor Bhagvath Kumar, the police were called to take stock of the situation.
Interacting with The Hindu , the students said, “Our primary demand is to include DSNLU in the G.O., so that this becomes the only NLU in the State.”
DSNLU was set up in 2008 by the AP Legislative Assembly. It was initially set up as Andhra Pradesh National Law University. Subsequently, in 2012, a legislation was passed recognising the university as national law university and renamed as DSNLU.
Agreeing with the students, the Vice-Chancellor said the apprehension was justified, as another national law university would obstruct the funding and development of the university.
“The government has so far not released building grant of Rs.75 crore,” said Dr. Bhagvath. “We have been managing with the annual block grant of Rs. 10 crore,” he added. The Vice-Chancellor said 65 acres was allotted, but only 15.6 acres was physically provided at Sabbavaram. “But hardly any construction activity has taken place. We still operate from a rented premise in MVP Colony. In such a scenario, what is the use of another law university, without developing the existing one,” said a senior faculty.
“Since the last six years we have been investing Rs. 3 lakh, inclusive of fee. And if we do not have the NLU tag, where do we go?” asked a student.
The university has also got a provisional approval from the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission and has agreed in principle to abide by the condition of increasing the quota from other states from 15 per cent to 50 per cent.
